The perfect European holiday park? It must have these essential ingredients

What is it that British families love so much about European holiday parks? Yes, they sometimes deliver the stereotypical naff kids’ club mascots and cheesy entertainment – but, on the whole, they’re still a brilliant, affordable holiday choice for families, thanks to their wide-ranging facilities and variety of budget-friendly mobile homes. 

The French have nailed the market especially well, with their villages de vacances (holiday parks) and residences de tourisme (similar to a holiday park, but with no entertainment) making up an incredible 35 per cent of their tourist accommodation, according to the Fédération Nationale des Résidences de Tourisme (FNRT).

But what is it that makes so many French – and various other European – holiday parks sing – catering to every need, while keeping things simple, affordable and relaxed?

We’ve scoured the best of the bunch to identify the ingredients of the ideal specimen – creating a handy cheat sheet that promises to help you narrow down the contenders before you book a continental jaunt this summer.

An excellent swimming pool

The first thing fellow parents always mention when I grill them on their choice of holiday park is the swimming pool. They’ll describe it in great detail: how many slides it has, whether there’s a toddler pool and, most importantly, if access is included in the stay. The next thing they mention is the proximity of said pool to the bar. In other words, how easy is it for mum and dad to kick back and relax with a beer while the children practice their dive bombs?

Eurocamp, on the whole, shines when it comes to fulfilling this brief. Just look at Les Sables d’Or, which features an imaginative pirate-themed waterpark that your kids will never want to leave.

“We make sure there’s plenty of water-based thrills, and with pools, water slides, lazy rivers and more,” says Ross Matthews, Eurocamp’s chief marketing officer. “Some of our aquatic centres are as good – or better than – any water park.”

And this needn’t apply only to destinations that all-but guarantee clement summer weather. If you’re heading to a destination where things are less predictable, a park that includes an indoor waterpark could save your holiday – just be sure to check it doesn’t come with hefty access fees.

A wide variety of activities

The perfect holiday park has activities for all ages and all interests. We’re talking art workshops, mini discos and sports camps. You can generally expect European holiday parks to provide the likes of archery, mini golf, and use of multi-sports grounds for free, but it’s worth checking in advance.

Activities like bicycle hire, water sports and horse riding will likely cost extra, but the best ones will make this clear on their websites, so that you can budget for it before you travel. I like, for example, how Europe-wide company Roan offers free children’s bikes to those aged under six.

Others make nature their playground, with sought-after locations in pristine natural parks. Then there’s Germany’s Park Hochsauerland, which is handily located next to AVENTURA der Spielberg, the longest play structure in Europe.

Solid food and drink options

The one thing that absolutely guarantees to put a dampener on a European holiday park experience is poor food offerings. Either there aren’t enough supermarkets in the area, the park itself is churning out low-quality fast food, or the serving hours are limited – leading to hangry kids and tetchy parents.

The best European holiday parks offer more than one restaurant, a decent mini-market and snack bar on site, and have supermarkets close by.

Some have upped their games when it comes to the food quality, too: Tamarit Beach Resort in Catalonia offers more restaurants than most, and even has an adults-only tapas restaurant on the beach.

Good access, transport links and free parking

The best holiday parks don’t rely on guests having their own car: instead, they offer good public transport links and have helpful staff to direct you to it while you’re there.

Some holiday parks, like Germany’s Spreewaldtor parc, offer their own shuttles to local towns, while others can book your airport transfer (though always compare parks’ prices with local suppliers).

Manor Farm in Switzerland gives guests a card that grants them discounts to local attractions, plus free use of the local bus – a game-changer if you’re keen to get out and explore. If you do choose to drive, free parking, electric charging points and – if it’s a car-free holiday park – the choice to unload your bags at your lodge before you park are all must-haves, too.

Plenty of peace and privacy

I’m sure I’m not the only one to have tried to fall asleep sleep in a holiday park, only to have the jarring lullaby of a football, as it is thwacked against the side of an adjacent lodge, ringing in my ears. Similarly, I find it off-putting when the view from the kitchen sink of your cabin is – you guessed it – another person looking back at you, over their kitchen sink.

If you share these irritations, you might look to Siblu – a holiday park operator that offers guests a “choose your own” service that allows you to pick your holiday lodge of choice using a site map. Of course, it comes with an added fee (£39 in low season, £79 in high season), but the benefits are often well worth the outlay.

Similarly, Les Charmettes in the Charente Maritime has also been designed for maximum privacy, with homes set in leafy cul-de-sacs, while the popular La Carabasse is among the most spacious parks you’ll find anywhere.

A variety of accommodation types

Historically, many European holiday parks delivered a one-size-fits-all set up of bland mobile homes. These budget-friendly options still feature, of course, and often fit the bill for an affordable family holiday. But today, the best holiday parks have taken a more imaginative approach: Brittany’s Les Mouettes, for example, has added rooftop terraces to theirs, affording guests the best sea views, while the lodges and safari tents at mould-breaking Sanguli Salou take on bold and stylish aesthetics inspired by Caribbean, Polynesian, Mediterranean and African designs.

Wooden chalets also abound: those found at La Croix du Vieux Pont are lovely and come with a mezzanine level, or second floor. If you’re heading to the balmy Costa del Sol during peak summer, a back-to-basics mobile home may fit your bill. But if there’s a chance the weather could be a bit off, the best holiday parks offer the choice of cosier abodes.

The option of luxury extras

To keep costs low, some holiday parks want you to bring your own sheets, and make your own bed on arrival – and for many, that’s just fine. Some, however, prefer not to travel with their linen, so the best holiday parks offer the option to hire sheets and, as at Huttopia, to upgrade your package to avoid doing your own pre-departure cleaning.

Pay attention to the details when booking your holiday park – and read those traveller reviews, too, especially if you’re someone who needs their creature comforts.

Having a wellness centre on site could really elevate your holiday, as could the option to upgrade to a cabin with a Nespresso machine and a dishwasher. Because, really, who wants to do the washing up when they’re on holiday?